25. An Abrupt Close
"Hahaha."
Famel's hoarse laugh echoed throughout the training center as he pulled himself out of the crater in the ceiling, spreading his dark wings majestically, with a mild smile encroaching his bewildered face sparsely.
"Spatial manipulation..... it had been a while since I bested a well-honed user of such a meticulous technique."
He raised his tone, his voice echoing hoarsely but with a vivid sense of valor.
His spirit energy flared, becoming visible as a dark aura spreading around him, followed by a heavy gust. He levitated smoothly as he radiated a dark-like spirit energy.
Something about him had changed. He now had a stronger presence—this was nothing short of a power-up. The cursed veil over his eyes held firmly wrapped behind his almost translucent white hair, comparable to a mirror. His white parted robe flowed intensely beneath his calves. His very presence commanded authority, drawing the eyes of both Nirvana and the other summons alike.
Space distorted briefly behind Famel as Raymond delivered a heavy, reinforced kick. Famel reacted instantly, raising his trident to meet the strike as it clashed against Raymond's leg. A wave of tremors cascaded from the collision as both remained locked in a stalemate.
Raymond's leg pressed against Famel's trident. They remained suspended in the air, neither willing to back down—a true contest of strength.
Aria's eyes fixated closely on the power struggle, her lips parting slightly as she let out a faint sigh.
"I never thought I'd see one who would match the battle god himself in a battle of strength."
She said, placing her hands on her thighs, spreading them slightly as she lowered her head and rested her chin on her palm.
Lux took his eyes away from the battle, focusing them on Aria.
"While he might be a battle god, he was up against an endless void."
Lux grimaced as he let out those words, refocusing on the match.
Aria scoffed faintly, a crooked smile forming on her face.
"That's a light way to put it."
She stretched her hand, laying back gently on the bench.
"Using spatial manipulation to reinforce his body... he's really something."
She mumbled to herself.
Raymond vanished abruptly, reappearing diagonally beside Famel as he threw a blow. But Famel immediately twisted his trident sideways, repelling the attack.
Raymond vanished again. This time, he appeared above Famel, launching a heavy thrust kick with both legs. Famel raised his trident upward, blocking the strike.
From that point on, Raymond kept teleporting around Famel, launching a barrage of consecutive attacks while Famel was forced on the defensive.
As Raymond moved in to deliver another blow, Famel reacted quickly, driving his trident upward and throwing Raymond off balance mid-attack. Taking advantage of the opening, he slammed Raymond into the wall, forming a crater.
Raymond dropped from the crater onto the floor. He didn't fall—he landed upright. His eyes, which had remained closed throughout the match, began to stir, one twitching slightly as if he was about to open it.
"This is bad," Nirvana exclaimed with a worrying tone as she softly placed both hands on her lips.
'He broke his wrist.'
Revet said lightly as his eyes fixated on Raymond's broken wrist.
Raymond's wrist bent backwards, a fractured bone piercing through his skin slightly as bright blood dropped onto the floor, splashing like roses.
"Impressive! I attempted to cut off your entire arm, but you managed to mitigate the damage," Famel said boldly, standing afloat in the air.
Raymond's left eyelid opened partially.
The design of his eyes was hard to make out—I could only see a small part of them. An eerie, dark glimmer leaked out, settling on Famel as he descended to the ground.
Snap...
Famel's wrist made a sharp snapping sound as it broke—mirroring Raymond's injury. Meanwhile, Raymond's wrist healed instantaneously, leaving no trace of damage.
"Damage transfer?!" Famel exclaimed, his face tightening into a grimace.
"Lord Revet… may I?" He turned his head slightly back, his voice booming.
'No, you cannot. This match had long since surpassed its meaning.'
Revet's voice echoed with a commanding tone.
'This practice match was… OVER!.'
The bloodlust radiating from Famel suddenly dissipated, along with the dark aura surrounding him. He lowered his head gently.
"It was indeed a fine match…" he said firmly.
"I look forward to a rematch."
A wide smile spread across Raymond's face as he tilted his head slightly.
"You are an immensely skilled opponent…" he said energetically.
"Haa… I'm super sleepy," he added tiredly.
Famel extended his hand for a friendly shake. Raymond took it, his grip loose with fatigue.
"I guess it's a draw…" Raymond said, glancing at Famel's wrist as he realized it had healed perfectly.
"I, too, have my own tricks," Famel replied calmly.
The tedious practice match exercise was finally drawing to a close. Raymond—he was indeed a mystery, and not to mention, he had a double-edged character. At least, it didn't look like he had any ulterior motive. Nirvana seemed to trust him deeply; maybe they had some kind of master—glorified servant relationship.
Nirvana stood up from her chair, placing both hands on her chest as her lips began to part.
"Ehhh.... You... have done... a great job.... but I hope the final match goes smoothly," she announced, grabbing everyone's attention.
"On that... note... the final match will now commence," she added.
Lamina walked forward to the training field, a gracious aura surrounding her. Her presence felt elevated, as if amidst nature itself.
Lux, on the other hand, walked with charisma and composure, wearing a well-put-together expression.
"I don't usually go easy on women," he glanced at Lamina's petite figure. "I know that won't be a problem for you, my lady." His head bowed slightly, taking a gentlemanly posture.
Lamina smiled calmly, emitting a welcoming aura. The sunlight dawned on her as if it were made just for her.
"Thank you for being considerate," she said softly.
"Let's both give it our best," she added.
"Be.... BEGIN!" Nirvana said with a booming tone.
Green vines sprouted from the ground, twisting together and forming spike-like structures as they thrust forward with a gust. Just as the attack was about to reach Lux, he forged a light saber out of thin air—golden light coiling to form a sword. He moved his hand with such intense speed that it became a blur.
A mere second later, the vines fell to the ground, cut into numerous chunks.
Lamina immediately followed up with a barrage of area-focused vine attacks. Lux continued to cut them down without breaking a sweat.
"Why don't we end the match with a decisive technique?" Lux asked as he continued cutting down Lamina's vines.
"That would be great!" Lamina replied as she stopped her barrage of attacks.
Lux gripped his sword tightly. Golden light particles began to gather around him, illuminating the training field. His sword glowed brighter.
"Golden sword arts, X4:----"
He chanted calmly as he took up a striking position.
Lamina interlocked her fingers, holding them up at chest level. The scent of flowers filled the air. Her gentle spirit energy flared with a greenish color.
"Profound technique, Sprout 30:----"
Her voice echoed with a melodic tone.
The training field went silent.
"Light strea----"
"Revet-sama."
What appeared to be Uriel's astral projection manifested at the center of the training field.
"I can't.... hold this for long," she added with a distorted tone.
"The Nuxeons--"
Her voice broke as her astral projection started to glitch.
"---- the summoners' war is in danger. You have to----"
Her astral projection disappeared.